TIRANA, Oct. 26 – The Constitutional Court has approved a request by the Union of Judges in Albania asking for UJA to be accepted as an interested third party in the process of reviewing the vetting bill part of the judicial reform which aims to out root corruption from the country’s justice system.
UJA Chairman Gerd Hoxha called for the suspension of the vetting bill arguing that it violates the Constitution.
“This process along with the Court’s ruling has a direct impact in the interests of the members of the Union,” Hoxha said.
He criticized several media outlets that have published personal records of several judges and their family members and relatives that have filled the declaration of assets forms.
“The Commission for Protection of Privacy must be engaged in the matter,” Hoxha added.
The Union of Prosecutors also announced plans of gathering on Nov. 5 and issue a final conclusion to their stance against the vetting process. Prosecutors also object the vetting bill and plan to call for its abrogation in Court.
Both unions claim that the vetting bill is harming the independence of the justice system. In the meantime, judges have to meet a deadline of 30 days in depositing the declaration of their assets and wealth. The files will be scrutinized in a six months period by a special investigative committee. Judges whose assets can not be justified will be immediately released from courtroom duties.
Several media outlets published recently a list of judges and prosecutors who declared their wealth and claim to be poor and in debt.
Data released by the High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interests shows that the chairman of the Constitutional Court Bashkim Dedja is the “poorest” among judges. His declaration form reveals that he has Lek 16,800.00 in debts. Dedja along many other judges declared that their salary is the main source of income while they have various unpaid bank loans.
